Kabul's 'frivolous' varsity attack claim rejected

MoI says allegation aims to cover up Afghan Taliban support for terrorists

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ISLAMABAD:

The Ministry of Information rejected on Monday Afghan media reports alleging that the Pakistan Army carried out missile or air strikes in Afghanistan's Kunar province, calling the claims "false" and "frivolous".

In a statement posted on X, the ministry's fact-checking account shared a picture from Afghan news outlet TOLOnews claiming that Pakistan "conducted missile/jet attacks on Kunar province on April 27, targeting Sayyed Jamaluddin Afghani University and residential areas, killing 3 people and injuring 45".

The ministry dismissed the allegations, saying the claim "is a blatant lie and an attempt to gain sympathy to cover up support by the Afghan Taliban to Fitna al-Khawarij". Fitna al-Khawarij is a term the state uses for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

"Pakistan's targeting is precise and intelligence-based. No strike has been carried out at Sayyed Jamaluddin Afghani University. The claims are frivolous and fake," the statement said.

The ministry further accused Afghan media of repeating a pattern of "fake news to cover up support for terrorist groups and proxies like Fitna al-Khawarij," adding that such reports were often amplified by Indian media.

In another post on X, the ministry criticised what it called "continuous propaganda" surrounding fake strikes in Kunar, accusing Afghan media and officials of being backed by "Indian propagandists".

"It indicates that the Afghan Taliban regime, having nothing to offer to its citizens in terms of service, welfare and governance, relies only on misinformation and hate," the statement said.

"The only thing they have learnt from their Indian propaganda masters is lies and false flag operations. Such pathetic antics and vile accusations are absurd," it added.

The ministry clarified that, under Operation Ghazab Lil Haq, any future Pakistani strikes on Afghan-based militant infrastructure would be "well declared, fully owned, and backed by precise evidence of targeting terror support infrastructure".

It added that such operations, whenever and wherever conducted, would follow established procedures and past patterns of announced military action.

According to Reuters, the Taliban government alleged that mortar and rocket attacks launched by Pakistan killed four people and injured 70 others, as fighting between the two countries erupted again and threatened to derail fragile peace talks.

About 30 students, women, and children were among those reportedly injured in the attacks, which targeted homes and the Syed Jamaluddin Afghani University in Kunar province's Asadabad, the Taliban's deputy spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat alleged.

The worst fighting in years erupted between the allies-turned-foes in February, with Pakistani airstrikes inside Afghanistan that Islamabad said targeted terrorist strongholds.

Islamabad has said Kabul provides safe haven to terrorists executing attacks ?on Pakistan from its soil. The Taliban has denied the allegations and said militancy in Pakistan is an internal problem.

China, which was mediating between the two countries, said earlier this month that it had agreed during peace talks in Urumqi to explore a comprehensive solution to their conflict.

Last month, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar announced a "temporary pause" in Operation at the request of the brotherly Islamic countries of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the State of Qatar, and the Republic of Turkiye in view of the Eidul Fitr holidays. However, the operation resumed after Eid.